Hawaii Welcomes New Disney Film Set on Kauai Island

HONOLULU (AP World) -- Hollywood rolled out the red carpet in Waikiki for the premiere of "Lilo & Stitch," Disney's new animated feature set on the island of Kauai. Dozens of fans, hula dancers and a ukulele band lined the entrance to the Waikiki Twin Theater on Tuesday to get a glimpse of stars attending the Hawaii pre-miere. Among the actors were Hawaii natives Tia Carrere, who lends her voice to Lilo's older sister, Nani, and Jason Scott Lee, who voices the part of Hawaiian surfer David Kawena. Celebrity surfers Malia Jones and Kelly Slater also attended. Carrere said she hopes Hawaiians are pleased with the way the state is portrayed on the big screen. "I think they will be," she said. "As someone who was born and raised here, I'm very proud of the good, positive values that this film illustrates about the people of Hawaii." "Lilo & Stitch" opens nation-wide on Friday. Last week, the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau announced a marketing contract with Walt Disney Studios in connection with the film. The contract, which calls for $1.7 million in state money, al-lows Disney to promote tourism in Hawaii while promoting the movie.